Chinese code-share
 

Was taking the airport express to HKG on April 2. They get a newsfeed from BRIDGE and one article reported that general manager of UA in Hong Kong announced that talks exist with several Chinese carriers on the possiblity of a code-share agreement.

Would be great if (KA) Dragonair linked up with UA/Star Alliance. Of course, that would still necessitate that UA find an appropriate Mainland carrier to cover the intra-Mainland flights.

I think Dragonair (KA) would more likely link up with Oneworld since they already have a good relationship with Cathay Pacific.

I'm surprised that they're not linked up already...KA is owned mostly by Cathay and the Mainland Chinese government.

KA did just recently join the Asiamiles Programme, which I believe is CX's main FF program (someone please correct me if I'm wrong).

According to my membership packet, People can earn AA miles on it along with a large number of other carriers. They've crossed the accrual/redemption in that direction, but not the other way--Don't think you can earn AA miles on some of the Asiamiles members unless they are Oneworld.

Dragonair is in Asiamiles. They are the only Asiamiles member not eligible for AA credit. I assume Japan Asia Airways, Deutsche BA and Qantas New Zealand (formerly Ansett NZ), which are all feeders for mainline oneWorld carriers are eligible for AA credit.

I heard some talk a while ago about mainland airlines like Air China and China Southern actively engaging the major alliances in discussions. All the mainland airlines are government owned, so the situation here is similar to Mexico where Aeromexico and Mexicana are in different alliances, yet code share on each other domestically.

not just Dragonair...China Eastern (MU) flights also earn Asia Miles and not AA miles...

I don't quite understand "cross the accrual/redemption in that direction and not the other way"...MU and KA are the only carriers that are in Asia Miles and not AAdvantage...while there are a lot of carriers that are in AAdvantage and not yet in Asia Miles - Alaska, Midway, Hawaiian, TWA, Turkish come to mind...

Why should KA join OW? Or *? Or Skyteam?

They operate with huge load factors, on largely undiscounted fares. There is huge demand for them from foreign pax who don't trust mainland carriers. Frankly, I'm suprised they even have a FF program...

Also, KA is of little use. It's fine for getting in and out of China, but not getting around.

A link with CA, MU or CZ gives access to China from HKG, plus an internal network of flights.

What I meant was that you can earn Asiamiles on AA, you can't earn AA miles on all Asiamiles carriers--like AA. Should have been more clear...Dui Bu Xi.